Warning aired vs toxic false nails, whitening cream

MANILA, Philippines–The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public against false nail sets that include adhesives containing dibutyl phthalate, a prohibited additive to adhesives known to trigger severe allergic reactions to users.

In an advisory, the FDA said its Center for Cosmetic Regulation and Research received “unnotified” samples of Fashion Nail, a product that comes in 20 small plastic packets with six to 12 pieces of decorated false nails and a small tube of glue.

According to the EcoWaste Coalition, which had submitted samples of the product to the FDA in August last year, the nail sets were being sold in Divisoria at P50 to P80 per set or as cheap as P2.50 to P4 per packet.

“The product was tested by the Central Laboratory and was found to contain dibutyl phthalate,” said FDA officer in charge Nicolas Lutero III.

“Allergic reactions can induce a state of hypersensitivity in the immune system. It can cause the immune system to respond to chemical exposures with immunological reactions that are harmful,” he said.

These reactions include hives and other life-threatening responses such as anaphylactic shock, where low blood pressure and breathing difficulties could lead to death.

The EcoWaste Coalition also warned the public against mercury-tainted skin whitening creams with dangerous levels of mercury vapor emitted as soon as the product container is opened.

The mercury vapor contaminates the air and affects even nonusers of the product, especially young children who are most vulnerable to toxic exposure, EcoWaste coordinator Aileen Lucero said.

In the long run, users of mercury-containing cosmetics may experience skin discoloration, rashes and scarring and reduced skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, as well as damage to the brain, the nervous system and kidneys, Lucero said.

Among the 25 skin whitening creams the EcoWaste analyzed recently, the group identified the following which showed the highest mercury vapor emissions are:

BG Sea Pearl & Papaya Natural Essence 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Sun Block Cream; JJJ Magic Spots Removing Cream; Feique Cucumber Anti-Wrinkle Whitening Set; Feique Herbal Extract Chinese Formula Whitening Anti-Freckle Set;

Yu Dan Tang Gingseng and Green Cucumber 10 Days Whitening Speckles Removed Essence; Beauty Excellent Lamb Placenta Whitening and Anti-Aging; Collagen Plus Vit E Day & Night Cream; Jiaoli 7 Days Miracle Package for Spots Refining;

Zi Xin Mei Face Beauty Vegetable Red in White Series (pink and white box); Feique Rose Refining Nourishing Set; Zi Xin Mei Face Beauty Vegetable Red in White Series (purple and gold box); and Beauty Girl Egg White and Tomato 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Cream.